Voting for the first time
By Lena Kovadlo
@lovebuglena (45412)
Staten Island, New York
October 26, 2024 10:04pm CST
My mom was going to vote for the first time today so I went with her. When we got to the voting site she handed the guy the letter she got with the official voter info. He scanned the barcode in the letter and asked her for her address I guess to confirm that it’s the one in the letter.
I asked him if she needed to show her ID. The guy said no. From what I recall he also said they are not allowed to ask for ID. Really? Don’t they have to make sure that the person voting is actually the person registered to vote? Hypothetically, if I have the letter she received and I know her address I can just vote instead of her and no one would know as they don’t ask for photo ID. And that’s not good.
I will be voting for the first time Sunday. I guess it will be the same for me. Except I received a fast pass tag that has a barcode on it, so I am assuming I just present that and don’t have to bring the official voter mailer.
14 people like this
11 responses
@AmbiePam (95874)
• United States
27 Oct
It varies per state. When I voted for the first time, I had to show my license. By the fourth time I went to vote they didn’t ask for it. Now, I vote absentee. It requires two people to sign the envelope my ballot goes in as witnesses. They put their name and address on the envelope to vouch for me. Four years ago when I voted absentee I had to get my ballot notarized.
5 people like this
@AmbiePam (95874)
• United States
27 Oct
@sallypup I think you’d get a notification, sending his ballot back if it didn’t count, Lenore. I THINK. Because last year I got my absentee ballot returned with a notification (I did something wrong). They might be required to let the voter know so it won’t happen again. The notification said they are not allowed to destroy an absentee ballot even if done improperly.
2 people like this
@TheHorse (223030)
• Walnut Creek, California
27 Oct
@lovebuglena Good question. I don't know if they do.
2 people like this
@lovebuglena (45412)
• Staten Island, New York
27 Oct
Better to just vote early in person, if your state allows it.
2 people like this
@celticeagle (171196)
• Boise, Idaho
27 Oct
I guess that every voting area does things a bit differently. Congrats and voting for the first time. Sounds like the fast pass thing is sort of like going through the airport. You get a pass that says you have already had your ID checked and you are okayed to go on through. Saves a lot of time.
1 person likes this
@lovebuglena (45412)
• Staten Island, New York
28 Oct
I guess so. Wonder why my mom didn’t get that.
1 person likes this
@crossbones27 (50069)
• Mojave, California
27 Oct
Funny thing is they have all the info, they just make it sound scary. Just do what they say, get everyone to vote they say and so funny how first timers like but I could go to prison if do not do it right. No, no one wants to send people to prison. One party is shady and thats their tactics. I believe there is help if you did it wrong or incorrect people to help fix it.
2 people like this
@lovebuglena (45412)
• Staten Island, New York
28 Oct
I wonder what happens if you didn’t fill everything out on the ballot.
@Deepizzaguy (106503)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
27 Oct
I guess the laws in every state are different in showing a driver's license to vote or not since in Louisiana it is required for voters to show their drivers license,
2 people like this
@lovebuglena (45412)
• Staten Island, New York
28 Oct
That’s a good thing. They should do that here too.
1 person likes this
@Deepizzaguy (106503)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
28 Oct
@lovebuglena I am in agreement with you.
1 person likes this
@kaylachan (74880)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
27 Oct
I've never boated so I don't know what it's like in my state. I did rigister to vote back in 02, during my 18th year as part of a school assignment and credit. Back then I got a card with my info on it, and rather or not I required assistance (which I would), but I moved to Daytona in 03, and never bothered to rerigister.
With the number of people who chose to vote in-person, I think they want to streamline the process. Plus, the barcode, might work like your i.d. and have the info to confirm your idienity. If they ccan streamline the process and save time they'll find a way to do it.
There's kind of a catch 22 when it comes to showing I.D. albeit rare but possible. In the rare case you're an idintical twin or tripplet a photo I.D. isn't effective because you don't know based on the photo, if you're yu're twin or tripplet.
1 person likes this
@kaylachan (74880)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
28 Oct
@lovebuglena You can't check in and are likely turned away.
1 person likes this
@lovebuglena (45412)
• Staten Island, New York
28 Oct
I wonder what happens if you don’t have the fast pass tag or the official mailer with you when you go vote.
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (82414)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
27 Oct
I guess voting is different from state to state, I just hope once the votes are all in all hell doesn't break loose,
1 person likes this
@lovebuglena (45412)
• Staten Island, New York
28 Oct
The election better be done in one day and not take weeks to count all the votes like in the last election. And there better not be any foul play.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (183882)
• United States
27 Oct
I'm glad to hear that you and your mom are voting. It's a great privilege. Maybe the ID thing varies from state to state. I don't know. Have a good day.
1 person likes this
@lovebuglena (45412)
• Staten Island, New York
28 Oct
It probably varies from state to state but IDs should be required everywhere to make sure that the person voting is actually the person that’s supposed to vote.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (183882)
• United States
28 Oct
@lovebuglena Yes, you're absolutely right.
1 person likes this
@lovebuglena (45412)
• Staten Island, New York
28 Oct
Election is Tuesday Nov 5 but early voting can be done on the weekend or during the week as well prior to Nov 5.
1 person likes this
@lovebuglena (45412)
• Staten Island, New York
28 Oct
@grenery8 earlier is probably better. There wasn’t a huge crowd when I was voting.
1 person likes this
@grenery8 (13051)
• Zagreb, Croatia (Hrvatska)
28 Oct
@lovebuglena o,i see.that's nice. I would opt for earlier,maybe less crowdy.
1 person likes this
